Background on the Car: Tom Lawrence, a lifelong Sheboygan resident, has spent the last 50 years meticulously rebuilding his 1936 Ford five-window coupe that he bought as a teenager in 1960 with his newspaper delivery route money.
In his twenties he drag raced the coupe at Great Lakes Dragway, but he aspired to restore it to “a nice car I could drive down the road.” In the 1960s, he began taking the car apart, but as a young father, he had little time or money to prioritize the rebuild.
Over the last 50 years, now 85-year-old Tom has painstakingly restored and customized every detail of his car, taking every piece apart and stripping it down to bare metal. He hand-sewed the door panels, reshaped metal by hand—often custom-creating tools to get the job done—painted every part in his home garage, and buffed the car to absolute perfection.
It still has the Buick 401 Nailhead he raced with 60 years ago, but it now features independent suspension, including a Corvette rear end.
His detail work spans decades and too many hours to count; it is truly a piece of priceless art.
Two years ago, on the weekend of the 4th of July, 2024, his dream came true as he proudly gave his children and grandchildren rides in his car for the first time ever! Since then, he’s found new community and joy attending local car shows and is often surprised when his work is recognized as “Best in Class.” He recently won “Best in Class and Best in Show” at the Valders Car Show.
Tom Lawrence’s story is about more than just a car—it’s a story of persistence, precision craftsmanship, and passion. It’s about the spirit of a dad, grandfather, and car enthusiast who embodies the values of perseverance and creativity.
Name: Tom Lawrence
Vehicle Year/Make/Model: 1936 Ford Five-Window Coupe
Built By: Tom Lawrence, over 50 years in his home garage
Engine Details: 1964 Buick 401 Nailhead with dual four-barrel carbs
Transmission: TH400
Chassis and Suspension Details: Boxed frame, polished 1981 Corvette IRS, Heidts Superride IFS
Wheels & Tires: Coker wide whitewalls, 195-R15 and 205-R15, on painted steel wheels with 1947 Ford hubcaps and trim rings
Interior Details: Original gauges and dashboard, Lokar Nostalgia shifter, Ididit chrome steering column, hand-stitched bucket seats and door panels, Charlotte headliner
Body and Paint Details: All-steel body, Midnight blue acrylic enamel, painted by Tom Lawrence
Miles Driven in a Year: 500 per year
Favorite Shows to Attend: Local Wisconsin shows: West Bend, Cleveland, Manitowoc, Kiel, Valders, Sheboygan
Any Awards: 13 trophies, including Best of Show, Best in Class
